An Unacceptable Risk

Published: October 8, 2006

To the Editor:

Ted Koppel writes that we should allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon if it wants one, but ''if a dirty bomb explodes in Milwaukee, or some other nuclear device detonates in Baltimore or Wichita,'' Iran should expect swift retaliation (''An Offer Tehran Can't Refuse,'' Op-Ed, Oct. 2).

Ted Koppel might first want to ask the residents of these cities how they feel about the prospect of a nuclear device detonating in their city, before making Tehran this offer it ''can't refuse.'' Such an event would most likely dwarf 9/11 in death and destruction, yet Mr. Koppel seems to offer this as an acceptable risk.

I think Mr. Koppel needs to remind himself of the horrors of the nuclear explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki; such an offer is unacceptable. I am afraid that assured destruction may not dissuade radical Islamic militants from using a nuclear weapon or device. The focus must remain on preventing Iran from ever obtaining such a weapon.